Pac-12 Power Rankings: Dismal forecast for Washington

Washington begins Pac-12 at 8-5 for the second straight year under coach Lorenzo Romar. Last season the Huskies finished 9-9 in conference and 18-16 overall. ((Photo credit: Stephen Dunn – Getty Images)

The basketball metrics aren’t looking good for Washington. The Huskies are last in the Pac-12 in RPI and ratings by basketball statisticians Jeff Sagarin and Ken Pomeroy.

The Pac-12 season, which begins Thursday, should give UW fans hope and a sense of dread.

On the one hand, the Huskies will have plenty of chances to improve their poor RPI over the next 10 weeks because the Pac-12 is ranked the fourth best conference in the nation, according to the statisticians.

On the other hand, RealTimeRPI.com projects Washington will go 7-11 in the Pac-12 and finish the regular season with a 15-16 record. It would be the first losing season since 2007-08 when the Huskies were 16-17 and 7-11 in the conference.